6 dead, 1 critically hurt at house fire; murder investigation underway

The suspect is the father of one of the slain victims, an 11-year-old girl.

July 3, 2023, 3:37 PM

A murder investigation is underway after six people were found dead at the scene of a house fire in Colleton County, South Carolina, the local sheriff's office said.

A seventh victim, a 13-year-old, survived the attack in Green Pond, about 40 miles west of Charleston, and was hospitalized in critical condition, the Colleton County Sheriff's Office said.

Officials block off a road near the scene of stabbing and house fire in Colleton County, S.C., July 2, 2023, that left six people are dead and another critically injured.
WCIV

When authorities responded to a 911 call on Sunday reporting a stabbing and a fire, they found the home fully engulfed in flames and the only survivor outside, Colleton County Sheriff Guerry "Buddy" Hill Jr. said at a news conference Monday.

Firefighters work at a house fire in Colleton County, S.C., July 2, 2023, that left six people are dead and another critically injured.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue

The surviving teenager, who suffered stabs and cuts, told police the first name of the suspect and said the victims had been stabbed, the sheriff said.

The suspect, Ryan Manigo, 33, was arrested nearby, the sheriff said.

Firefighters respond to a house fire in Colleton County, S.C., July 2, 2023, that left six people are dead and another critically injured.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue

Manigo is the father of one of the slain victims -- an 11-year-old girl -- and the brother-in-law of another slain victim, the sheriff said.

Ryan Manigo in a Colleton County police booking photo released on July 3, 2023.
Colleton County Police Dept.

No motive is known, the sheriff said.

Manigo has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, and more charges are expected, Solicitor Duffie Stone said. Manigo is being held without bond.

"He'll never be forgiven," a relative of the victims said at Manigo's bond hearing Monday.

"I wish you death. I wish they give you the death penalty. ... We hate you," she said.

"I just want to know why," another relative said.